Limited supplies of Kanzi apples hit the market

Washington-grown "Kanzi" brand apples are hitting U.S. markets this week. Due to high demand for this premium apple — in combination with limited early production on young trees — supplies are limited.

An unfortunate hail event last season eliminated the crop of "Kanzi" brand apples, but this year’s crop looks spectacular. In 2014, growers are working on additional plantings to ensure increased production in the years ahead to meet strong market demand.

Tim Welsh“Over the next five years our Kanzi volumes will greatly increase each year," Tim Welsh, who oversees the North American plantings that produce "Kanzi" brand apples, said in a press release. "With the existing trees in the ground, and new plantings, we estimate that within five years our production will reach nearly 500,000 cartons of delicious "Kanzi" brand apples.”

Imported "Kanzi" brand apples will continue to complement the domestic program and will arrive later in the spring after the domestic program has been sold out. Due to the overwhelming feedback from consumers, worldwide production of "Kanzi" brand apples is increasing rapidly with expanded acreage being planted globally. As a result, imported volumes will continue to increase in an effort to complement the domestic crop and meet the growing demand.